Friday News – July 18, 2025

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One of the great privileges of being a minister is helping loved ones grieve a loss. Performing memorial services gives me an opportunity to learn about the person who died in greater depth, and to assist their loved ones in remembering stories, capturing the meaning of the life lost. I’m a firm believer that this ritual is essential for the grieving process. But it takes a village, as we say.

We’ve had several losses in the community recently. At each of the services I conduct I remember that there is no greater evidence for the need of a spiritual community than to celebrate a life – something I think we as Unitarian Universalists do particularly well. And the cadre of volunteers who help with all the details of the service and the reception, make the occasion even more meaningful for their selfless service. I thank you for being such a community.

Rev. Dr. Terasa G. Cooley

Developmental Minister

P.S I will be having hip replacement surgery on July 22. I plan to be completely off work for a week, and then will be working from home for the next two weeks as I will not be able to drive. Thanks to all who have offered assistance. I’ll be in touch if/when I need something!

Upcoming Events

This Sunday, July 20

9:15 Summer Short Program:

“Hidden Knowledge”

Curious as to how the building grew? Or where the paper towels are kept? Ever wondered why the wood floor sounds hollow or what the basement looks like? Come get a behind the scenes tour and get all your questions answered.

Presented by Christine Davidson

10:00 Worship: “We are Creatures of Constant Awe”

The Atheists-Skeptics-Humanists (A-S-H) Group will present their annual lay-led service. This year’s service is titled “We are creatures of constant awe”, from a line in the poem “In Praise of Mystery: a Poem for Europa” by poet laureate, Ada Limon. Members of A-S-H will reflect on what gives them a sense of awe, and where they find beauty in the world. Words, music, movement; something for all.

Presented by members of the Atheists-Skeptics-Humanists (A-S-H) Group

Celebration of Life:

David MacDonald

Dave MacDonald’s memorial service will be held at the church Saturday, July 19 at 2 pm. The service will be available online for those unable to attend in person.

A reception in Beach Hall will be immediately afterwards.

All Soles Summer Potluck & Dance

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Potluck 6:15

Beginners’ Session 7:30

Dance 8:00-10:30

Cost:$10 for adults, $5 ages 12-25
Join us for a potluck dinner, followed by an evening of music and dance! The potluck will start at 6:15…if you would like to help set up, please arrive at 6:00. Plates, napkins, and utensils provided. Please bring a dish to share.

Susan English (from Wooster) will be our caller and The Corndrinkers will provide the music. The Corndrinkers, from the Dayton area, consists of Barb Kuhns and Linda Scutt (fiddle), Tom Duffee (banjo), Doug Smith (guitar), and Al Turnbull (bass).

New to dancing? A beginners’ session, from 7:30 to 8:00 PM, will get you started. You will learn some basic figures that will be repeated in the evening’s dances. All dances will be taught and no partner is needed. Please bring a refillable water bottle.

Upcoming dance dates: Sept 27, Oct 18, Nov 22, & Dec 20. (More info).

UU Christian Fellowship

New Study beginning July 21

Online, 6:30-8pm

July 21, August 18, & Sept. 15

Our next study will be a little different! Rather than following a Study Guide, we will create one! Together, we will read Christ for Unitarian Universalists, available from inSpirit, the online UU bookstore! After reading it, we will work together to create a study guide based on our conversations, in preparation to have a congregational study of the book in the fall. Email Rev. Kelli with questions or for assistance purchasing the book.

A-S-H meeting program

Come check out the next 3 discusstions hosted by First UU’s Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists group. (All meetings are held at 7pm in Room 301):
Tuesday, July 22 – A review of Sunday’s Lay-led service; and an open discussion of recent actions across the country to force conservative Christian viewpoints into public schools.

Tuesday, August 26 – An evening with Reverend Dr. Teresa Cooley to look at the history of Atheists and Humanists in Unitarian Universalist churches.

Tuesday, September 23 – OSU post-doc, Jason Chen, will talk about his research and practice in Bio-ethics.

All are welcome!

Body Wisdom Wednesdays:

Meditative Movement + Dance

1st & 3rd Wednesdays

Next Class: July 23, 6:45–8:15pm
No experience needed — come as you are, move at your own pace, and leave feeling more grounded, playful, and alive after this beginner-friendly somatic practice. Please register if able, suggested donation $15–$40 per class. Childcare Available with RSVP. Contact Whitney Dawn Pyles with questions.

Jung Association of Central Ohio Presents Strange Bird: The Voice of Jung

July 26, 2025, 3:00 pm

Buy Tickets Online $25–$35

The Jung Association of Central Ohio is hosting a one-man play, “Strange Bird: The Voice of Jung” in the Sanctuary on Saturday, July 26, the date of Carl Jung’s 150th birthday. Following the play, there will be a meet and greet with the actor, Raymond O’Neill.

Around The Corner

  • 7/19 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more info)
  • 7/21 UU Christian Fellowship Book Study begins “Christ for Unitarian Universalists” by Scotty McLennon
  • 7/22 Atheists, Skeptics, Humanists
  • 7/23 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 7/23, 8/6 Body Wisdom Wednesdays: Meditative Movement + Dance (Registerto attend, Childcare available w/additional RSVP)
  • 7/24 Expressive Worship
  • 8/1 First Friday Picnic in the Breezeway
  • 8/2, 9/13 Ohio Roller Derby Home Games (offsite)
  • 8/3 & 8/10 Summer Choir Sunday (9ampractice, same day performance! All are welcome, no experience needed!)
  • 8/20 Finance Committee (RSVP)
  • 8/23 All Soles Contra & Square Dance (more info)
  • 8/26 Atheists, Skeptics, Humanists
  • 8/27 Board of Trustees (RSVP)
  • 8/28 Expressive Worship

Weekly events:

  • Tai Chi for Balance (Tuesdays, 10am)
  • Sacred Song Circle (Wednesdays, 6pm)
  • Co-Working Space (Fridays, 9:30am)

Save the Date:

  • Sundays, August 10–August 24“Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement for UU’s” RSVP

Planning ahead? Check our online calendar for additional events!

From First UU Leadership

Peace Camp Openings – Register Now!

We still have space for both weeks of camp! We need more kiddos to sign up in order for this program to be a success. Now accepting 5 year-olds for session A, and 12 year-olds for session B! Tell your friends! Share this link:

https://bit.ly/peacecamp2025

Session A for 5-8 years: Monday-Friday, 7/28-8/1, 9am to Noon

Session B for 8-12 years: Monday-Friday, 8/4-8/8, 9am to Noon
More Info!
Register Today!

Seeking Donations for Peace Camp

You can help us out by bringing in some materials for us to build and create with. We are seeking:

  • Scrap wood pieces: approx 1” to 12” in size, any shape
  • Boxes: Shoebox size and smaller
  • Unusually-shaped cardboard pieces (such as packaging)
  • Tubes: paper towel, wrapping paper
  • Lids, bottle tops/caps, and 6-pack plastic carrier lids
  • Tin cans (clean, not too sharp, prefer label removed)
  • yogurt/similar tubs (clean)
  • corks
  • cds
  • Crepe paper streamers, ribbons
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Tissue Paper
  • Fake flowers/leaves for collage
  • Other collage materials: Pretty much anything that seems you could add to to construct/decorate with.
  • Legos

Please donate items by August 3. Materials can be brought to the First UU workroom, or give them to Jenifer during Playcamp. We will have a large box/sign for any donations for the workroom. Please do not bring styrofoam or egg cartons (we have lots).

Thank you! Questions? Reach out to Jenifer or Amber!

Justice & Volunteering

Connect with our Justice team and other First UU’ers on the Signal App

by joining the First UU Signal Group (app required).

July Feed and Read Collection

During July, we will be collecting school supplies for local students who would otherwise have difficulty buying these supplies. Please stick to the supplies listed so that siblings can receive similar supplies. During our second annual Backpack Blessing service on August 3, we will work together to put all the supplies into backpacks. Our goal is 100 backpacks this year, so please be generous!

“Beat the Heat” Fan Donation Drive

LifeCare Alliance
The Beat the Heat Fan Campaign, which benefits Central Ohio’s most vulnerable residents during periods of extreme heat is collecting fans to help save lives! Purchase a new-in-box fan to donate, and learn more at the LifeCare Alliance website. Reach out to Tom Bailliul for more info.

Classes & Groups

Learn more in our Engagement Catalog, and reach out to join!

Expressive Worship

July 24, 6:30pm

Expressive Worship is now the Fourth Thursday of the month! July’s theme is “Roots” If you have suggestions for the playlist email them to Christine by the 21st.

Expressive Worship grew out of a challenge at GA—to imagine worship in a whole new way. The result was this relaxed, art centered gathering where participants engage with a theme through personal creative exploration. Each service follows a structured flow—opening words, a song, a reading, time to create art while themed music plays, a closing and an optional sharing time at the end.
Artwork from June’s theme: Living Love through the Practice of Freedom.

Responding to the Anti-Trans Movement for UUs

Sundays, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, from 11:30am-12:30pm
This brief course is designed to offer you an introduction to gender diversity and trans identity, help you understand the current political attack on trans people and the misinformation that is part of that attack, and train you in how to create safety and belonging for trans people in UU congregations in this moment. Register now!

Email Rev. Amanda with questions or to help facilitate. Childcare available with separate Reservation at least 1 week in advance!

P. S. You can access the course on your own if you can’t make it in person

Community News

Calling all UU Artists: “Connections”

Drop-off Sunday, September 21 after Worship (12–1pm)

Exhibit September 24 – November 2
We want you to enter your artwork into “Connections,” our Fall exhibit! Please fill out our our submission form for and bring your work to first UU on Sunday, September 21 after worship.

What connects us, you, to the earth, to each other, to other cultures, to our inner selves? Is it the majesty of a mountain, the food we eat, the songs of Central America, the fabrics of Japan, the love within us, the colors of the sunset, or the vastness of the stars?
Enter 1 or 2 pieces! (Age High school – Adult, please.)
Enter Submission

Family Activities

This Sunday, July 20th!

*Children start in the service before class. Dress for the weather / outdoor play! Bring your water bottle (labeled w/ name), if that will help you stay cool! 🙂

9:15-9:45am Continental Breakfast and Community Activities (A/B, Beach Hall)

9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (101)

10-11am Worship Service “We are Creatures of Constant Awe,” led by First UU’s ASH group, Atheists Skeptics & Humanists! (sanctuary)

After the Story, Until Service Ends

10:15-11:15ish Early Childhood / Elementary Summer Class (202)*

10:15-11:15ish MS / HS Summer Games Group (A/B, by the kitchen)*

Help needed: seeking volunteers to work w/ kiddos and teens starting in September!

Help needed: seeking volunteers to work w/ kiddos & teens starting in September!

Additional Artwork from June’s Expressive Worship,

“Living Love through the Practice of Freedom”

If you are reading this, Congratulations!

You have completed one square of the Chalice Challenge!

To earn a “Super Square” (on the back chart), please attend this Sunday’s Short Program, “HIdden Knowledge” to learn some of the best-kept secrets of First UU!